The invasion of predatory lionfish in the Caribbean region poses yet another major threat to coral reef ecosystems — a new study has found that within a short period after the entry of lionfish into an area, the survival of other reef fishes is slashed by about 80 percent.

The red lionfish, a tropical native of the Indian and Pacific oceans that probably escaped from a Florida fish tank, is showing up everywhere - from the coasts of Cuba and Hispaniola to Little Caribbean Eco reefs, the region’s prime destinations for divers.

Wherever it appears, the adaptable predator corners fish and crustaceans up to half its size with its billowy fins and sucks them down in one violent gulp. Research teams observed one lionfish eating 20 small fish in less than 30 minutes.

“This may very well become the most devastating marine invasion in history,” said Mark Hixon, an Oregon State University marine ecology expert who compared lionfish to a plague of locusts. “There is probably no way to stop the invasion completely.”

“This is a new and voracious predator on these coral reefs and it’s undergoing a population explosion,” Hixon said. “The threats to coral reefs all over the world were already extreme, and they now have to deal with this alien predator in the Atlantic. These fish eat many other species and they seem to eat constantly.”

A white creature with maroon stripes, the red lionfish has the face of an alien and the ribbony look of something that survived a paper shredder - with poisonous spikes along its spine to ward off enemies. Marine biologists are seeing it in every habitat: in shallow and deep reefs, off piers and beaches, and perhaps most worrisome, in mangrove thickets that are vital habitats for baby fish.

Lionfish are carnivores that can eat other fish up to two-thirds their own length, while they are protected from other predators by long, poisonous spines. Other fish have learned to avoid them but in the Atlantic Ocean, native fish have never seen them before and have no recognition of danger. There, about the only thing that will eat lionfish is another lionfish - they are not only aggressive carnivores, but also cannibals.

Northern Caribbean islands have sounded the alarm, encouraging fishermen to capture lionfish and divers to report them for eradication.

One marine biologist said that he has been stung several times while rounding up lionfish - once badly. “It was so painful, it made me want to cut my own hand off,” he said. Marine officials say swimmers will be more at risk as the venomous species overtakes tropical waters along popular Caribbean beaches.

Because of their natural defense mechanisms they are afraid of almost no other marine life. And the poison released by their sharp spines can cause extremely painful stings to humans - even leading to fatalities for some people with heart problems or allergic reactions.

Researchers are scrambling to figure out what will eat the menacing beauties in their new Caribbean home, experimenting with predators such as sharks, moray eels - and even humans. Hungry sharks typically veer abruptly when researchers try to hand-feed them a lionfish.

“We have gotten (sharks) to successfully eat a lionfish, but it has been a lot of work. Most of our attempts with the moray eel have been unsuccessful,” said Andy Dehart of the National Aquarium in Washington.

One predator that will eat lionfish is the grouper; scientists are pinning hopes on the establishment of new ocean reserves to protect grouper from over-fishing.

As lionfish colonize more territory in the Caribbean, they feed on grazing fish that keep seaweed from overwhelming coral reefs already buffeted by climate change, pollution and other environmental pressures.

If we start losing these smaller reef fish as food to the lionfish ... we could be in a whirlwind for bad things coming to the reef ecosystem.

I have lion fish as pets in my tank here in ohio. I guess the marine people wont mind if i pluck a few up while im down there for a tank. They really are beautiful creatures. But for sure they will eat and eat and eat. They are actually one of the only fish that will literally eat them selves to death (at least in a tank).

The presence of an Indo-Pacific native fish in Belizean waters has rung alarm bells because it could threaten the livelihood of our native fish, says the Belize Audubon Society (BAS).

The Lionfish, known for its striking appearance and beauty, has been spotted in the Turneffe and Glover Reef Attols.

The size of its population has not yet been determined but according to Losita Lee, the Marine Protected Areas Program Manager at BAS, its presence means trouble for the local fish populations.

The reason for concern is that the Lionfish is carnivorous and preys on fish three times its size.

A study has found that the Lionfish’s appetite is so big that one fish can reduce a juvenile fish population by 79 percent in five weeks.

A release by BAS claims that the greedy fish is capable of decimating our fish stock and negatively impacting the coral reef ecosystem as a whole.

According to scientists from Oregon State University, they can cause the loss of herbivorous fish, which sets the stage for seaweed to potentially overwhelm the reefs and disrupt the delicate ecological balance in which they exist.

Several dive and snorkel sites in the Bahamas have been closed over the years because of this phenomenon - in essence wiping out its natural attractions.

Luckily for Belize, the reef area is home to a local group of fish which prey on Lionfish - the Nassau Grouper.

But the Nassau Grouper is on the endangered list in Belize, because it has been over-fished in years past.

As a result, BAS calls on fishermen to protect the grouper.

The Nassau Grouper is at greatest risk during spawning season, when they gather in large numbers to perform the fertilizing ritual. Fishmermen are asked to leave the groupers alone and allow them to multiply, not only to strengthen the population, but to reinforce Belize’s defense against the Lionfish.

In an effort to help control the predator’s population, the Belize Fisheries Department is allowing the use of spear guns to eradicate the Lionfish. However, spear guns can only be used with confirmed sightings, when diving with SCUBA gear. An alternative to spearing is netting.

Presently the law does not allow for spearfishing, but in this instance spearfishing against Lionfish will be allowed because of the perceived threat to the local fish population.

However, the Audubon Society warns, caution must be taken when handling Lionfish because, their dorsal and anal spines are venomous.

The sting is extremely painful, and may cause nausea and breathing difficulties. In extreme cases the Lionfish sting can be deadly.

No anti-venom vaccine has been developed for the Lionfish toxin, and that’s why it is important to handle with care.

BAS calls on the public to capture or kill the Lionfish on sight, and to report all such sightings to the Audubon office by calling 223-5004 or by emailing to: marineparks@belizeaudubon.org.